Columbia County Victim Witness Program

Voice: 570-389-5658
Fax: 570-389-5682

35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815

 

..........Helping Victims Today, Watching Them Smile Tomorrow..........

 

Columbia County Victim/Witness Program is a free program dedicated to assisting Adult and Juvenile Crime Victims with the rights and services to which they are entitled under the Pennsylvania Crime Victims Bill of Rights and the standards set forth by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

    These rights include the following but are not limited to:
  • Upon request, you have the right to be notified of the sentence prior to as well as imposed on the Defendant.
  • If your case involves personal injury or burglary, you have the right to submit prior comment on the potential reduction of charges, dropping of charges or changes of a plea.
  • You have the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement. The Victim Impact Statement may be done orally at sentencing or in writing which will be provided to the judge who will be sentencing the Defendant. The statement should reflect any physical, psychological, and/or emotional changes that have occurred in your life as a direct result of the crime. Completion of this statement is voluntary. This program offers assistance in preparation of said statement.
  • You have the right to be restored to your pre-crime economic status through restitution. This will be included as part of the Defendant’s sentence.

See Related Links below for more information

Privacy and Confidentiality

The Victim/Witness Coordinator will treat all Victims with dignity, and compassion, and respect the right of each Victim to privacy.

A Confidential Communication is a statement made under circumstances showing that the speaker intended the statement only for the ears of the person addressed. It is intended to be undisclosed and treated as private.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator will protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except when disclosure is necessary by policy of the District Attorney’s Office and/or to prevent serious and imminent harm to a Victim or other identifiable person or when laws require disclosure without a Victim’s consent.

If you have any questions or concerns about his policy, please contact the Victim/Witness Coordinator for clarification.

Crime Victims Grievances

If you have a complaint regarding alleged unlawful or inappropriate actions in the handling of a case please contact the District Attorney’s office or the Office of the Victim Advocate at 1-800-322-4472 or visit the OVA web site at www.ova.state.pa.us to discuss this issue.

Victim Witness Intimidation

If you are being threatened, intimidated, or harassed by someone in reference to your case, please notify the authorities immediately and let them know you are the victim in the case. After notifying the authorities, please contact the Victim/Witness Coordinator. The incident will be documented and the DA, probation office, prison, or any other authorities involved will be notified.

Programs and Services